welsh premier times issue 4

7/28/2019 Welsh Premier Times Issue 4

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Cann agrees longterm deal with Old

GoldMark Aizlewood the manager of Carmarthen hasannounced that Stephen Cann has committed to a longterm contract at Carmarthen Town FC. Aizlewoodcommented thatWhen we signed Stephen in the summer I did not fully

appreciate how good he actually was, of course I knewhe was a good goalkeeper having worked with himsince he was an U16 international but soon realised thatwe have potentially the very best goalkeeper in Wales.The management team decided very quickly that weneeded to secure his services on contract and thisdecision was endorsed and supported by the clubdirectors.Ironically whilst contract negotiations were ongoingand whilst Stephen was actually signed for CarmarthenTown on a non contract basis another club made him anincredible financial offer to re-sign him.

It speaks volumes for the boys character that his headwas not turned by this and he kept his word to the clubchairman and duly signed.We at Carmarthen are unable to match the payingpower of a club like his former side Aberystwyth Townbut Stephen has decided to stay for footballing reasonsand be part of what we are trying to build atCarmarthen after three long years in the doldrums.I believe that Stephen will be the next player from theleague to go onto bigger and better things and the wayhe has conducted himself during this episode onlyconfirms what a top guy he is and he has already

become a very popular member of the dressing room

End ofconfusion

over Griffiths

Pilgrims dealRhys Griffiths officially became a PlymouthArgyle player on Monday. He signed a 12month deal with the Pilgrims who are managedby former Welsh international Carl Fletcher.Griffiths told the WPL website that "It's a good feeling that'sbeen a long time coming".He added that "It dawned on me during the summer monthsthat it was a shame that I hadn't played in the Football Leagueso now I'm doing it".The 32 year old striker also explained how grateful he was toPort Talbot Town for their support during his short stay at theGenquip:"The club have been great to me and I wish Port Talbot allthe best for the coming season. Mark Jones has been superband has told me that he fully understands my decision".However Rhys Griffiths emphasised in the interview with theWPL website that the league which he has graced for somany years is still very close to his heart:"The standard is really improving in the WPL. I've trainedwith Plymouth for the past week and there are plenty of WPLplayers who could step up to this standard of football.

I'm going to do all that I can to enjoy my time at Home Park -but one thing's for certain the Welsh Premier League hasn'tseen the last of me !"Griffiths was hailed as a major signing for the Steelmen inJune, after returning to the GenQuip stadium following sixhugely successful years at Llanellibut the 32-year-old wasoffered the chance of a professional contract after asuccessful trial with the League Two outfit.Were extremely disappointed to lose Rhys so soon afterbringing him to the club but we wish him well for the future,explained chairman Andrew Edwards.

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Phillips signs for LidoFormer Port Talbot Town stalwart Gareth Phillips hassigned for rivals Afan Lido FC.It is believed that Phillips will also take up the role ofAssistant Manager alongside new boss Paul Reid.During his spell at the GenQuip stadium, Reid was onthe coaching staff so a coaching link-up is a natural step

for Phillips.


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Long serving midfielder departs

Port TalbotPort Talbot Town have confirmed the departure of popular midfielderGareth Phillips ahead of the new season, ending a seven-yearassociation with the club. The club statement read;The 32-year-old first joined the Blues in 2004 and manager Mark

Jones was quick to praise the former Swansea City player.Hes been brilliant for us - hes taken us into Europe and to a WelshCup final and has been a great servant to the club.Hes an ex-professional having been at Swansea City and he carriedthat through to the Welsh Premier League, conducting himself like apro in a semi-pro game.Having broken into the Swansea first-team, Phillips later moved tothe GenQuip stadium via spells at Newport County, Merthyr andCarmarthen, with a second one-year spell at Merthyr being sandwiched by his seven seasons at Port Talbot, wherehe became captain, making 181 league appearances.Jones added that he has no doubts that Phillips approach to the game will bode the midfielder well for the future"He's great in training and has the makings, I believe, of being a good coach.""I've marked him as someone who can go on and do more in the game."Everyone at Port Talbot Town would like to wish Gareth the very best for the future and thank him for his effortsfor the club.

Old Gold recruit another from LidoCarmarthen Town have signed midfielder Liam Thomas from Afan Lido. The wideman is the latest player tomove to Richmond Park from the Aberavon-based club, as Mark Aizlewood looks to avoid a repeat of therelegation scrap they endured last season.Another former Lido player, defender Carl Evans has been named as Aizlewood's skipper for the this season, withTim Hicks taking over the role of club captain.Other players to have made the switch from Lido to Carmarthen for the start of the season are Leon Jeanne, Craig

Hanford and Anthony Finselbach.

Busy time for WPL Referees in EuropeIt's a busy period for Welsh Premier League Referee Lee Evans at the moment. He was in charge of the UEFAEuropa League 2nd Qualifying Round game between HR and AIK in Reykjavik (Iceland) and last week hepacked his kit bag again heading off to Servette in Switzerland who were hosting Rosenborg of Norway again inthe Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round. The match was played at the 30,084 capacity Stade de Geneve, whichhosted three group matches in the 2008 UEFA European Championship.Rosenborg have quite a decent track record in UEFA competition having been in the group stages of theChampions' League on more than one occasion so this is a good appointment for Lee who was assisted by KimFisher (Cardiff), Phil Thomas (Trealaw) with Dean John (Swansea)as 4th Official.On September 3rd, Lee from Llanllechid in Gwynedd, heads back to Switzerland to UEFA HQ for a two day

seminar for Europe's Elite, Elite Development and First category referees who will be taking charge of the groupstages of both the Champions League and Europa League games.It does not stop there for Lee because FIFA have appointed him to referee a World Cup Qualification match onSeptember 11th at a match to be advised nearer the time.FAW Referees' Manager Rodger Gifford commented; "This could only be good for Welsh refereeing at this time.With Mark Whitby and Huw Jones getting games in UEFA Competition as well with our FIFA Assistant Refereesalso getting appointments, this surely must act as an incentive to take up the whistle."Add to this the very positive impression that Bryn Markham-Jones, Lewiss Edwards and Daniel Becket made onthe UEFA Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE) project for promising young officials the future certainlylooks good for Welsh Referees both at home and abroad.Welsh Referee Observers are also in demand with Cardiff's Ray Ellingham getting his fourth appointment fromUEFA this season when he goes to Tbilisi in Georgia for their U21 game with Croatia on August 15th whilst

Referees' Manager Rodger Gifford goes to Poland in the 3rd Qualification Round of the Europa League for thegame between Lech Poznan and AIK of Sweden on the 9th August and Brian Lawlor goes to Slovakia v FranceUnder 21 on September 7th.


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A sit down with the player manager from www.the-nomads.co.ukWe recently sat down with one of only two Player/Managers in the WelshPremier League, as Mark McGregor gave us his thoughts ahead of TheNomads return to the top flight of Welsh football.

Mark, can you give us a little background as to where you first startedto kick a football and how you career developed in your early days?I was brought up in Blacon, a quiet suburb just outside of Chester and

started playing when I was 10, which by todays standards is quite a latestart.Blacon Youth were my first team and I played with them to their Under 16team.

How did you ge t into the professional game?I became a YTS @ Wrexham for 2 years, before going pro with them in1995 so the wages were near enough non-existent back then.

What was the highlight of your career?

That was probably playing in the 1997 FA Cup QuarterFinal with Wrexham. We were praying for a big draw but

ended up with Chesterfield!! We lost 10 and they wenton to play against Middlesbrough in the Semi Final at OldTrafford. The nearest I get there nowadays is when I takethe Mrs. shopping at The Trafford Centre!I played for Wrexham, Burnley, Blackpool, Port Vale andAltrincham, racking up over 550 League and Cupappearances, with a few goals here and there!My only real injury came when I was at Burnley where aknee injury kept me on the sidelines for about 4 months,but when I came back, I was playing alongside ex Man

Utd and Blackburn Rovers defender David May.

We had a good partnership in defence for the rest of thatseasonWhat is the best team you've played in and who did

you play alongside in that team?

I really enjoyed my time at Wrexham. Playing withBurnley in the Championship was great, but the best time

of my career was probably the spell between 1997 and1999 at The Racecourse.I played alongside people like Gary Bennett, Bryan

Hughes, Dave Brammer and Karl Connolly - all great ladswith good careers behind them.What's the strongest team/best player you've ever

played against?Jamie Petrie at training!Seriously, the list could go on for a while, but the first fewthat stick out to me were Middlesbrough in the 1999-2000FA Cup, where Wrexham were lucky enough to beat them2-1 at The Racecourse with a team containing Gazza andJuninho!!!I had Juninho in my pocket and the only time Gazza got

away from me was in the bar afterwards!When I was at Burnley we also beat a Tottenham Hotspurside containing Teddy Sheringham and GusPoyetneedless to say I had Teddy for pace because he

had none, but what a first touch.Reading were always a good team as well, very difficultto beat at The Madejski Stadium.

How did you first become involved in Welsh football

and what are you thoughts on the current standard of

the WPL?

My first affiliation came with Wrexham obviously wherewe won a lot of Welsh cup games, playing teams likeAberystwyth and Newtown. I think we won 4 out of 5Welsh cups as the club were always dependant on thecash prize in those days, beating the likes of Cardiff andSwansea.I think that the standard has definitely increased over past2-3 years, almost to the point where it is probablyborderline with the bottom half of Conference skill-wise.I would say TNS would be able to compete in the

conference as they are as good as Newport.The League just needs a bit of a push media wise toprogress really and get a bit more notice taken of it around

the country.The recent nomination of Les Davies of Bangor as apossible European Player of the Year was fantastic forraising the profile of the league.Its a shame that Jeff Stelling always talks about theresults in Scottish divis ions 2 and 3 yet doesnt mentionthe WPL when the result passes on the screen on Soccer

Saturday I think we are better than those teams.Do you subscribe to a particular footballing blueprint

and can you share a little of it with us?

I try and get the lads playing how I like to play - plenty ofball retention and keeping it on the ground when you can.

Were lucky with the quality of the pitch at The DeesideStadium, as it is always in a great condition, meaning thatwe can play the ball around nicely on the surface. Itmeans we can play some fast attacking football but keepthe ball in the process.

Over the past two seasons weve managed to average 3goals a game and well be looking to maintain that to helpus in the Welsh Premier League this season.How do you see the role of the academy teams in

relation to the 1st team and the future of the club?I think that that Academy couldnt possibly be in abetter shape.

I think it is known locally that we have one of theleading academies in North Wales with only Wrexhamon par with it and possibly TNS.
http://www.the-nomads.co.uk/http://www.the-nomads.co.uk/http://www.the-nomads.co.uk/


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There are age groups ranging from U8 - U19, whichmeans over 200 kids from the local communityregularly get involved for training and matches, whichbrings in a great deal of support from their parents whoare seeing their kids develop.It has been great that the Welsh FA are helping to fundThe Academy this year, allowing Jay and his team tomaintain the same high standards weve had over thepast few years, where we have had to rely partly onfunding from gap personnel.A further highlight last season saw 7 of the Under 19steam play for the first team, a great example of how ouryouth squad not only supports, but integrates with thefirst team.Weve already earmarked a few of the U16 lads to stepup to training with the first team shortly as we can seethe potential in them becoming quality players over thenext few years. What do you think the season holds

for The Nomads?

Im under no illusions its go ing to be a toughseason, but the way that we score goals can only helpus. You can defend well, but if you dont get a shot ontarget, youre never going to score and win a game.I think weve been handed a tough test with the firstthree games of the season being against three of thebiggest spenders in the league, but thats what werehere for, to ply our trade against the best teams outthere, and if we can come away from those first threegames with fourpoints, Ill be happy, no delighted!

On a whole, I think that if we finish above 10th, itwould be a steady first season back as we look to REestablish ourselves as a Premier League team and thenpush on from there.As we know, its going to be a lot tougher than theCymru Alliance!If you were on a day off which team would you go

and watch and why?I usually go and do a bit of homework and try andwatch whoever we are next up against in the league.Ive been getting to quite a few of the Airbus andVauxhall Motors games recently and I am reallyimpressed with the setup of our neighbours inBroughton. They are a great example for North Walesfootball.Im always looking for new methods and training ideasas well, so Ill often go and check out new teams andsee what their warm ups consist of and see if theresanything that we can learn from them.

As one of only two player/managers in the WPLhow do you reconcile your managerial and yourplaying dutiesI love it! Im not ready to stand on the sidelines fulltime yet and I find it a lot easier to connect with theplayers by playing alongside them rather than shoutingfrom the sideline. I wouldnt change it at all,.and lovebeing a Player/Manager in the Welsh Premier League.

Ex-Lakesider Williams signs for Denbigh TownDanny Williams has signed for Welsh Alliance League club Denbigh Town.During the 2008-09 season he enjoyed a successful season with Rhyl in the Welsh Premier, winning the leaguebefore a short spell with Droylsden. The last two seasons he played for Bala under Colin Caton before signing atCentral Park.Williams had featured in pre-season friendly wins at Neston, Llangollen and Ellesmere Port before committing forthe forthcoming season. Everyone is delighted to have Danny on board and his signing completes a busy summerof recruitment.Assistant managers Gav Garrigan and Tommy Mutton are delighted with the news with Mutton commenting"Danny is a midfielder with pure ability and a great passing range. He makes the team tick and plays the game athis pace making it look simple. More importantly he brings the best out of his team mates. After a great summerof new signings for us he is the icing on the cake. Hopefully his addition will enable us to make a big challengefor the title this year."

Manager Richard Williams-Cooke is equally as happy saying"This must be one of the greatest ever signings by the club. To get someone of Danny's experience and ability is agreat coup and shows the ambition that the club has. Over the last year or two Danny hasn't played as much as hewanted due to injuries and other things so he is looking forward to the season and just loves playing football. Heknows a few of the other lads from his time at Bala and came highly recommended by Colin Caton."


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Pre-Season FriendliesSat 23 June The New Saints v Cefn Druids 5-0

Tue 26 June Cefn Druids v Bangor City 0-2

Sat 30 June Linfield FC v Bangor City 1-1

Sat 30 June The New Saints v Conwy Borough 2-0

Sat 30 June Llanelli AFC v Monmouth Town 4-1

Sat 7 July Blacon FC v Gap Connah's Quay 0-6

Sat 7 July Pres tatyn Town v Eagle Sports P-P

Sat 7 July The New Saints v Wingate & Finchley 2-1

Tue 10 July The New Saints v Bridgnorth Town 4-0

Tue 10 July Gap Connah's Quay v Runcorn Town 3-1

Tue 10 July AFC Porth v Port Talbot Town 0-3

Fri 13 July The New Saints v Nuneaton Town 1-1

Sat 14 July Airbus UK Broughton v Barrow FC 2-1

Sat 14 July Ballymena United v Port Talbot Town 1-1 (in Dublin)

Sat 14 July Aberystwyth Town v Wrexham 1-2

Sat 14 July Afan Lido FC v Cambrian & Clydach B&G 3-1

Sat 14 July Barry Town v Carmarthen Town 2-3

Sat 14 July Caernarfon Town v Gap Connah's Quay 0-3

Sat 14 July Gloss op North End v Bala Town 0-1

Sat 14 July Porthmadog FC v Newtown AFC 1-4Sat 14 July Pres tatyn Town v Wingate & Finchley 2-0

Sun 15 July Port Talbot Town v Bohemian FC 6-0 (in Dublin)

Tue 17 July Colwyn Bay v Bangor City 3-2

Tue 17 July Gap Connah's Quay v Vauxhall Motors 4-1

Tue 17 July Airbus UK Broughton v Cammell Laird FC 4-1

Thu 19 July Trefelin v Afan Lido FC

Sat 21 July Aberystwyth Town v Goytre United 3-4

Sat 21 July Airbus UK Broughton v Southport 0-0

Sat 21 July Barmouth & Dyffryn v Bala Town 0-3

Sat 21 July Carmarthen Town v Newport County 3-1

Sat 21 July Pres tatyn Town v Dukinfield Town 6-2

Sat 21 July Port Talbot Town V Swansea City 0-5

Sat 21 July Well ington Amateurs v Newtown AFC 1-2Sat 21 July Stockport Sports v Gap Connah's Quay 2-1

Tue 24 July Airbus UK Broughton v Buckley Town 3-0

Tue 24 July Port Talbot Town v Cheltenham Town 1-1

Tue 24 July Bala Town v Wrexham 1-3

Tue 24 July Bridgend Town v Afan Lido FC 3-2

Tue 24 July Gap Connah's Quay v Glantraeth 4-1

Tue 24 July Holywell Town v Prestatyn Town 0-0

Tue 24 July Conwy Borough v Bangor City 1-1

Wed 25 July Aberystwyth Town v Swansea City 1-2

Fri 27 July Ely Rangers v Port Talbot Town 1-5

Sat 28 July Aberystwyth Town v Tata Steel 5-0

Sat 28 July Bangor City v Ashton Athletic 8-0

Sat 28 July Briton Ferry Llansawel v Llanelli AFC 2-3Sat 28 July Carmarthen Town v Swansea City XI 1-1

Sat 28 July Gap Connah's Quay v AFC Fylde 0-2

Sat 28 July Newtown AFC v Llanidloes Town 4-1

Sat 28 July Prestatyn Town v Rochdale Town 1-0

Sat 28 July Runcorn Town v Bala Town 0-2

Sat 28 July The New Saints v Leeds United 3-1

Sat 28 July Trafford FC v Airbus UK Broughton 1-0

Sat 28 July West End FC v Afan Lido FC 1-7

Tue 31 July Airbus UK Broughton v Chester FC 3-0

Tue 31 July Bow Street FC v Aberystwyth Town 1-6

Tue 31 July Newtown AFC v AFC Telford United 0-4

Tue 31 July Prestatyn Town v Nantwich Town 1-6

Tue 31 July Ruthin Town v Bala Town 0-1Tue 31 July Llanelli AFC v Yeovil Town 3-5

Thu 2 Aug Aberaman Athletic v Afan Lido FC 2-2

Thu 2 Aug Tata Steel FC v Port Talbot Town 1-2


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Fri 3 Aug Salford City v Gap Connah's Quay 0-2

Sat 4 Aug Aberystwyth Town v Cambrian & Clydach 2-2

Sat 4 Aug Briton Ferry Llansawel v Port Talbot Town 1-5

Sat 4 Aug Bangor City v Everton XI 0-6

Sat 4 Aug AFC Porth v Afan Lido FC 2-1

Sat 4 Aug Bamber Bridge v Bala Town 1-1

Sat 4 Aug Clitheroe FC v Airbus UK Broughton 3-2

Sat 4 Aug Skelmers dale United v Airbus UK Broughton 1-1

Sat 4 Aug Newtown AFC v Guilsfield FC 3-0Sat 4 Aug Taffs Well FC v Carmarthen Town 0-1

Sun 5 Aug Llanelli AFC v Swansea City 1-1

Tue 7 Aug Goytre United v Port Talbot Town 19:15

Tue 7 Aug Holyhead Hotspur v Bangor City 19:30

Tue 7 Aug Rhyl FC v Airbus UK Broughton 19:30

Tue 7 Aug Tata Steel FC v Afan Lido FC 18:30

Fri 10 Aug Llanelli AFC v Truro City 19:30

Sat 11 Aug Airbus UK Broughton v Colwyn Bay 15:00

Sat 11 Aug Bridgewater Town v Afan Lido FC 15:00

Sat 11 Aug Chester FC v Bangor City 15:00

Sat 11 Aug Cwmbran Town v Carmarthen Town 14:30

Sat 11 Aug Gap Connah's Quay v Trafford FC 14:30

Sat 11 Aug Nantwich Town v Bala Town 15:00Sat 11 Aug Newtown AFC v Hednes ford Town 14:30

Sat 11 Aug Porthmadog FC v Aberystwyth Town 15:00

Sat 11 Aug Prestatyn Town v Rhyl FC 14:30

Welsh Football Issue 159 has been published and is available to order.This is the first edition of 2012-13 and contains previews of the coming season

Other features in this issue include:

full coverage, with many photos, of the UEFA Champions League and EuropaLeague games in July featuring The New Saints, Bangor City, Llanelli andCefn Druids

feature on the Wales Women's squad and their Euro 2013 campaign Club features on CLWB CYMRIC and TYWYN BRYNCRUG Statistical highs and lows of 2011-12 in our "Best & Worst in Wales" feature History feature on Aberdare football marking the revival of the name

Aberdare Town this season

This issue can be purchased by post for 2.75 plus 50p postagecheque to Welsh Football, 57 Thornhill Road, Cardiff CF14 6PE

or email [email protected] online payment options.Subscriptions for 2012-13 cost 26.00

New subscribers will receive a credit for free back issues
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Compiled by Mel Thomas at Soccerfile Wales

[email protected] Tel/Fax: 01766 830805POSTAL COPIES distributed from WPL, 11 / 12 Neptune Court, Cardiff CF24 5PJ

Contact: Lucy Kelly via [email protected] 02920 435 847
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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